Anti-Bullying
Bullying can happen to anyone at any age. If you’re being bullied or know someone who is, there are people in school who can help. You can speak to Miss Hadfield who is our school’s Anti-Bullying Leader and who works alongside our Anti Bullying Ambassadors or any other trusted adult in school. However, you can also share your worries with your class Anti-Bullying Ambassador or record your concern and place it in the Anti-Bullying Box.
St. Wulstan's is committed to providing a caring, friendly, respectful and safe learning environment for all of our pupils. We promote an inclusive ethos that focuses on respecting one another and celebrating difference and diversity.
Bullying and prejudice-based language of any kind, involving pupils, adults towards pupils, staff or parents are unacceptable and will not be tolerated at our school.
We understand the devastating and lasting effect being bullied can have on some children and we will deal with all incidents equally seriously, quickly and effectively, whether it has taken place in or outside of school.
Preventing and tackling bullying is part of our work to support pupils’ social and emotional development and to be recognised as a healthy school. Helpful documents and the school anti-bullying policy can be found in this section.
Anti-Bullying Ambassadors
In the autumn term, we appointed two St. Wulstan's Anti- Bullying Ambassadors per class. Children were invited to apply for the posts explaining why they wanted to become an ambassador, how they would support other students in school and the skills and qualities they possess, making them an ideal Anti Bullying ambassador. The successful candidates were selected based on merit. Zarah, Calla, Sienna and Libbi will be supporting and helping children at break times and lunchtimes if they are encountering any friendship difficulties. Thank you to all those who applied and we were very impressed with all the candidates.
The anti-bullying ambassadors are easily identifiable by their blue bands!
The key message at St. Wulstan's is bullying is if someone does something unkind to you:
Several
Times
On
Purpose
and if anyone is being bullied:
Start
Telling
Other
People
Our wonderful Anti Bullying Ambassadors received training, in accordance with our anti-bullying policy, and have been working in the classrooms and playground to ensure that our children feel safe and happy at St. Wulstan's
Playground Pals
Playground Pals are an important part of school life. Children volunteer to be a Playground Pal and make the commitment to help encourage happy and sociable play-times. They are a point of contact for children during breaks and can help encourage friendship and games, make sure no-one feels alone and are able to sort out any minor concerns. They wear red bibs so can easily be identified.
Our Playground Pals are friendly and approachable and of course, do not replace the role of the teacher in sorting out problems, but are a support to the children and staff on duty. They work alongside our Anti Bullying Ambassadors.
Advice for Parents
If your child is being bullied:
- Take time to listen to your child and stay calm and acknowledge how they are feeling
- Calmly talk with your child
- Explain to them that bullying is unacceptable and that no one should have to put up with it. Promise to do all you can to stop it
- Write down what your child has said. If it involves cyberbullying, keep any evidence of emails and texts
- Encourage your child to talk to their teacher or someone at the school.
- Never intervene with other children or children’s parents, but let the school know
- Contact your child's class teacher as soon as possible to let them know your concerns. The school will take any incident of bullying extremely seriously and will deal with it quickly to find out why it has happened and to prevent it happening again
- Staff may not know about the bullying and will need to know what has happened and will discuss with parents and carers what action will be taken
- If you are not satisfied with the response you get and any action taken, you should contact the class teacher or Headteacher with your concerns.
- If you remain dissatisfied, you should follow the school's complaints procedure
Call or go on the website of one of the organisations dedicated to supporting parents and carers.
For help and advice about bullying and staying safe online you can contact the following:
Helplines
ChildLine: ChildLine is the UK's free, confidential helpline for children and young people. They offer advice and support, by phone and online, 24 hours a day. Whenever and wherever you need them, they'll be there. Call 0800 1111.
EACH : EACH has a freephone Helpline for children experiencing homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying or harassment: 0808 1000 143. It’s open Monday to Friday 10am-5pm.
Victim Support: They offer support to young people affected by crime. Their Children and Young People's (CYP) Service also deals with cases of bullying; offering advice and working with professionals to ensure young people get the support they need. You can call their Support line for free on 08 08 16 89 111.
Websites
The websites below have lots of information and advice for anyone who has experienced bullying.
Childline: information about bullying
Kidscape: information for young people
Child Friendly Anti Bullying Policy
Anti Bullying Ambassadors, Equality and Diversity Assembly, 2023